Collapsible crate.



H. B. WALTER. GOLLAPSIBLE CRATE. APPLICATION FILED JARS, 1910.

Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

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HARRISON B. WALTER, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD T0 ORVILLE J. GUNNELL AND ONE-THIRD T0 JOSEPH W. MEITZLER, BOTH 0F IDANVILLE,

ILLINOIS.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

Application filed January 8, 1910. Serial No. 537,031.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRISON B. WALTER, citizen of the United States, residing at- Danville, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Crates, of which the following is -a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in banana crates, the object being to provide a light and inexpensive article for transporting bananas or similar produce of a perishable nature, which may be collapsed and flattened out when not in use, so as to occupy small space.

With the foregoing objects in view, my invention consists in a drum made in two sheets, the edges of which are riveted together to form strengthening or reinforcing ribs, together with flaps secured at the lower end of the drum, and a bottom adapted to be removably fastened to the flaps.

The invention further consists in cords threaded through holes in the bottom and adapted to be brought up within the sides of the drum and around the articles held and looped at the top to form a handle whereby the Weight is supported directly from the bottom.

My invention still. further consists in certain novel features of construction and com binations of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings :I igure 1 is a view in elevation looking into one member of the drum, the bottom being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view looking into the drum before the bottom has been placed therein; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the bottom in the drum; and Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the drum collapsed.

The drum comprises two sheets 1, 1, of tough, flexible material corresponding in shape, having their edges 2, 2, riveted together, the material forming the drum being scored for a short distance from the base to admit of flexibility along these areas and the edges, when thus riveted together, forming reinforcing ribs which give strength to the crate from diametrically opposite points, thus preserving its shape. At or near the lower end of the drum, flaps 3, 3, are within the drum, and the bottom 4 is inserted from above and brought down to these flaps where it may be held by driving nails through the flaps into the bottom. The bottom, when thus placed, holds the crate in its shipping condition against collapse. The bottom is preferably provided with a number of holes 5, 5, and through these holes cords 6, 6, eX- tend upwardly around the bananas to the top, where they are brought together in the form of a loop 7 which may be used as a handle in carrying the crate from place to place, thus supporting the weight directly from the bottom and not at all from the sides, thus avoiding any strain upon, the drum, the package merely being an inclosing envelop. Any sort. of paper hood 8 to exclude the dust and vermin may be placed over the top.

In this way a very inexpensive and yet effective article of manufacture is produced, and at the same time one which has adequate strength for the purpose, and which when out of use occupies a trifling amount of space.

More or less slight changes might be re sorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth, but:

Having, fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a collapsible crate composed of flexible sheets brought together at the edges and fastened, the sheets being scored adjacent to these fastened edges and capable of being bent to form a drum, the edges serving as reinforcing ribs to strengthen the crate throughout its length, and means adapted to be inserted within the drum to afford internal lateral support therefor.

2. .As an article of manufacture, a col lapsible crate composed of flexible sheets brought together at the edges and fastened, the sheets being scored adjacent to these fastened edges and capable of being bent to form a drum, the edges serving as reinforcing ribs to strengthen the crate throughout its length, and a bottom removably held in the drum.

3. As an article of manufacture, a collapsible crate composed of flexible sheets brought together at the edges and fastened, the sheets being scored adjacent to these fastened edges and capable of being bent to form a drum, the edges serving as reinforcing ribs to strengthen the crate throughout its'le'ngth, and a bottom removably held in the drum, cords strung through the bottom and brought up through the crate and havin a handle formed therein at the upper end, whereby the crate and contents may be carried" to throw the strain entirely upon the bottom. I

4. As an article of manufacture, a 001- lapsible crate composed of flexible sheets brought together at the edges and fastened, the sheets being scored adjacent to these fastened edges and capable of being bent to form a drum, the edges serving as reinforc- 1ng r1bs to strengthen the crate throughout its length, flexible flaps secured inside of the drum at or near its lower end, a removable HARRISON B. WALTER.

Witnesses FRANK C. BISHOP, JOSEPH W. MEITZLER. 

